Winter is arguably the worst and best time to be in Ottawa. Sure, the weather outside is frightful, but the free events are so delightful. So if you’re looking to have a little wintery fun on the cheap this season, we have just the thing. As far as Ottawa Christmas lights go, Christmas Lights Across Canada takes some beating. The enchanted light and sound multi-media show will kick off on Wednesday, December 4 in Confederation Park. In addition to thousands of twinkling lights and the multi-media light display, attendees can also enjoy live holiday tunes, interactive public pianos, and free beavertails. Yum! The main light show, projected on the parliament buildings, will tell the story of three Christmas characters on a journey to find light. The beautiful imagery is inspired by Canada’s nature, climate, and culture. To see the rest of the dazzling lights, simply follow the lighting route, which leads to iconic areas such as National War Memorial, the Garden of Provinces and Territories, and Alexandra Bridge. Ottawa is about to be fully illuminated and you’re not going to want to miss it. So get your besties together and enjoy a night of sparkling lights and free treats. View this post on Instagram ♫ On this fifth day of hints, can you guess what you will see: pretty art in all its glory ♫ // ♫ En ce cinquième jour d’indices, devine ce que tu vas voir : un jeu de couleurs sur une œuvre d’art ♫ A post shared by Canada’s Capital(e) du Canada (@canada_cap) on Nov 26, 2016 at 6:32am PST View this post on Instagram Photographer @willowthephotographer Assistant @spencerdrleblanc Model @annapicklesmodel #downtownottawa #wintershoot #glasses #wintertime #willowthephotographer #ottawamodel #confederationparkottawa #nighttime #annapicklesmodel #christmastime #christmaslights #alightthenight #park #flawless #twinklylights #christmaslightsacrosscanada #wintercoat #garageclothing #smiles #redlips #ottawabeauty #ottawagirl #ottawamodel #wintervibez #spotlight #highlights A post shared by Anna Pickles (@annapicklesmodel) on Jan 12, 2019 at 11:02am PST After opening night, you can catch the lightscapes show nightly on Parliament hill from 5:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. The 13-minute story runs on a constant loop, so you can pop in anytime to see it. You can wander through the stunning lighting route every day as well. The lights will stay bright from 4:30 p.m. until 2 a.m. View this post on Instagram Let’s talk burnout 🔥 around this time of year, so many people are feeling it. It’s exam time for students (me 🙋🏼♀️), Christmas has everyone running around, year-end deadlines are coming up... it’s just busy, and to top it off it gets dark at 4:30.⠀ ⠀ Here are a few of the things I’ve found that help me from burning out:⠀ ⠀ • Netflix breaks aren’t enough - you actually have to get out of the house sometimes! Go outside and enjoy the Christmas lights! 🎄 ⠀ • don’t plan around how much time you have, plan around your mental/ cognitive resources. Just because you’re awake for 16 hours a day doesn’t mean you can work for 16 hours. Which brings me to...⠀ • sleep! 8 hours, every night.⠀ • it’s ok to say no to things. I know you’ve heard this one but it’s TRUE and it’s necessary. I’ve had to turn down projects that I really enjoyed to make room for other ones.⠀ ⠀ What helps you keep your energy up this time of year?⠀ ⠀ P.S. these beautiful Christmas lights are all over the downtown until January 7! Get out to see them!⠀ ⠀ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⠀ #igersottawa #ottawalife #myottawa #christmaslightsacrosscanada #ottawa #ottawaphotographer #canada #canadagram #narcityottawa A post shared by Nina Danielle 🇨🇦 (@ninanearandfar) on Dec 18, 2018 at 3:30pm PST Free beavertails will only be available on opening night while supplies last, so you may want to arrive early to try and secure a sweet treat for yourself. But even if they run out, there are plenty of illuminating reasons to make time for this show this winter. Christmas Lights Across Canada Price: Free When: Wednesday, December 4 until Tuesday, January 7 Address: Confederation Park, Ottawa, ON Why You Need To Go: You can experience the magic of the season at this incredibly breathtaking light and sound show in Ottawa. View this post on Instagram This has to be almost as Canadian as Tim Horton’s. Standing out in the cold watching the sound and light show at Parliament Hill during the holidays. Pro tip: The later at night you go the more it feels like the show is just for you ☺️ . . . . . . . #parliamenthill #explorecanada #myottawa #imagesofcanada #ottawa #ottawaphoto #ottawatourism #ottawalife #igersottawa #discoverON #ottcity #instaOttawa #exploreottawa #ottawaphotography #narcityottawa #canada #imagesofcanada #CanNatGeo #neverstopexploring #exploreeverything #exploreandcreate #collectmoments #goodtimesoutside A post shared by SHAMIL JESSA (@shamiljessa) on Jan 7, 2019 at 5:53pm PST Website Ottawa's European-Style Cafe Is A Coffee Aficionados Dream
